Published: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 1:16 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 1:16 p.m.

An electric utility pole, which police suspect was clipped by a driver along Sixth Avenue shortly before noon Wednesday, fell onto the roadway and caused traffic backups near Sixth Avenue and Main Street.

The avenue was closed from Buncombe Street to Church Street until Duke Power could replace the pole and lines and restore power to the block.

Mike Linton, a Duke Energy dispatcher, said final repairs were completed at 3 p.m. About 465 customers were without power, which was restored to all but 110 customers by 12:15 p.m.

Streetlights along Sixth Avenue at the intersections of Fleming Street, Buncombe Street, North Church Street, North Main Street, North King Street and North Grove Street were out after the pole fell, said Hendersonville Fire Capt. Tim Cagle.

The pole, infused with rot, split and fell in between cars near the intersection of Sixth Avenue and North Church Street next to First United Methodist Church at about 11:45 a.m.

Cagle said a call came through dispatch that a telephone pole had fallen on a vehicle. When first responders arrived, the pole and its lines were strewn across Sixth Avenue. A motorist at the scene said drivers were able to avoid the pole and the active power line as it danced and sparked along the roadway.

<p>An electric utility pole, which police suspect was clipped by a driver along Sixth Avenue shortly before noon Wednesday, fell onto the roadway and caused traffic backups near Sixth Avenue and Main Street. </p><p>The avenue was closed from Buncombe Street to Church Street until Duke Power could replace the pole and lines and restore power to the block. </p><p>Mike Linton, a Duke Energy dispatcher, said final repairs were completed at 3 p.m. About 465 customers were without power, which was restored to all but 110 customers by 12:15 p.m. </p><p>Streetlights along Sixth Avenue at the intersections of Fleming Street, Buncombe Street, North Church Street, North Main Street, North King Street and North Grove Street were out after the pole fell, said Hendersonville Fire Capt. Tim Cagle. </p><p>The pole, infused with rot, split and fell in between cars near the intersection of Sixth Avenue and North Church Street next to First United Methodist Church at about 11:45 a.m. </p><p>Cagle said a call came through dispatch that a telephone pole had fallen on a vehicle. When first responders arrived, the pole and its lines were strewn across Sixth Avenue. A motorist at the scene said drivers were able to avoid the pole and the active power line as it danced and sparked along the roadway.</p><p>No injuries were reported. </p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>